Angry Celtic boss cancels club's awards

Bloemfontein Celtic chairman Max Tshabalala was so angered by his team's loss of form as the Premiership League reached its end that he decided against the traditional end-of-season awards, which were due last night.

Tshabalala blamed the players for what he said was "disrespect" to their multitudes of supporters in the last few games of the season.

Since beating Mamelodi Sundowns 5-0, a result which effectively ended the Brazilians' title defence, Celtic have been in freefall. Of their last five games, they won just one and lost four. Tshabalala said it was for that reason that the club's awards were scrapped.

"Since the win against Sundowns, the players thought they had arrived and became complacent. We had set a target of a top-five finish, but the players' lacklustre performances in the last few games cost us."

The players' attitude left Tshabalala furious and he said they did not behave like professionals. "They were going on holiday before time. This was uncalled for but the team captain [Patrick Tignyeb] apologised on behalf of his teammates."

Tshabalala said although some players may have been upset by his decision, he had the backing of the sponsors. He also said he went to great lengths to motivate the players.

"I gave them R10000 each for a win and R5000 for a draw. I even brought in my financial adviser to speak to them. With the bonus from the wins, they could have invested their salaries and lived off the bonuses, but still that was not enough," he said.

selebim@sowetan.co.za